About The Bears

There are many different types of bears for show and for sale on the World Wide Web. I want you to know what makes Ivy Rose bears so special, besides the fact that they are named after my little girl.

 Faces :  (All faces are under copyright, owned by Patti Thomas.)

Each Ivy Rose Bear face starts out as a hand-full of polymer clay, and is carefully shaped and sculpted by Patti Thomas. Each one is an individual work of art. No mold is used to make the face, therefore, no two are ever exactly alike. However, by looking at pictures of bears that have already been adopted, similar ones can be sculpted for persons wishing to have one that is no longer available.

Eyes are usually glass; sometimes paperweight, sometimes blown glass.

Faces of all ages can be sculpted: very young (fetus for the Birthing Bear), Preemies, babies (all of theses can have open eyes or closed, sleeping eyes), toddlers, adolescent, varying ages of adulthood, including Grandparents.

There are many variations in face types. "Bearly Bears" look more human than bear, due to their human-like cheeks and mouths. Other faces look more animal-like, but most often, not like a real bear. Once baked, all the faces take on a translucent, flesh-like appearance. I suppose it's this quality that makes curious fingers want to scratch or gouge them. Care must be taken not to let this happen.Even though the clay becomes hard after baking, it can still be scratched or gouged. Dropping a bear on its face can crack the clay, therefore they are not recommended for small children.

Each bear has my name and it’s succession number sculpted in the clay under it’s chin, with the exception of the “Fairy Bears”. Their faces are very small so I don’t put that information under their chins, but I do put it on their adoption certificates.

Body: (All patterns are under copyright, owned by Patti Thomas.)

Bodies are usually made of mohair or synthetic fur, and are available in a wide variety of colors. Each bear is heavily weighted with poly pellets to give it a feel of having "muscles and bones" rather than fluff. Sizes range from 6 1/2 inches to 42 inches. New patterns are being made frequently, therefore, new sizes often appear. However, at this time, sizes include: 61/2" (usually a Fairy Bear), 11" (usually a "Preemie"), 12", 13", 14", 18", 19", 20", 22", 24", 26", and 42".

Many different shaped bodies are available: long arms and legs (adolescent), short, plump arms and legs (baby); bent knees and elbows, straight legs and arms, etc. All bears are jointed at the neck, arms and legs. "Newborn" bears have an umbilical-like cord and an authentic umbilical cord clamp, as well as a hospital name band showing the bears name. Other bears have a "belly-button" made from clay. Each bears name is sculpted into the belly-button.

Regarding names: Sometimes I name them, sometimes the "adoptive parent" names them.

Adoption:

An adoption card is provided with each bear. One part of the card is filled out with information about the adoptive parent (name, address, phone number, etc.) and this part is kept in a registry with photographs of the bear. The other part of the card goes with the bear to the adoptive parent. That part of the card reflects information about the bear, such as: name, succession number, length, fur type, etc., and information about the adoption: parents name, date and place of adoption.